Begonia plant

ABSTRACT

A begonia cultivar having light pink tepals giving the appearance of azalea blossoms.

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar ofbegonia plant, botanically known as begonia elatior (hiemalis-Fotsch)and known by the cultivar name Pink Fantasy.

The new cultivar was discovered by me as a mutation of Fantasy and wasobserved in a group of flowering 4 inch stock plants of the parentcultivar. Fantasy is disclosed in my issued U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,911,granted June 15, 1976. Asexual reproduction by stem and/or leaf cuttingsof the new cultivar has reproduced the unique features of the newcultivar through successive propagations.

The following characteristics distinguish Pink Fantasy from both itsparents and other begonias commercially known and used in thefloriculture industry:

1. The flowers of Pink Fantasy are light pink as compared to the deeprose red flower color of the parent cultivar Fantasy.

2. Pink Fantasy has similar keeping qualities to Fantasy, being muchgreater than Rieger Aphrodite types.

3. The plant habit of Pink Fantasy is upright but growth is slower andmore compact than Rieger Schwabenland types.

4. Flower form and placement against the foliage background gives PinkFantasy the appearance of an azalea. Flowers are slightly smaller thanthose of Fantasy.

5. Pink Fantasy propagates very well from leaf cuttings but propagationis generally 7 to 14 days slower than for Schwabenland types.

6. Although Pink Fantasy is most valuable as an upright pot plantbegonia, it can be used as a hanging basket when properly cultivated forthat purpose.

7. Like Fantasy, the mutant has the same resistance to powdery mildew.

8. Since Pink Fantasy encompasses the same overall high qualities andappearance of Fantasy it has the comparable potential of adding to theeconomic value of elatior begonias for commercial flowering pot plantproduction.

The accompanying colored photograph illustrates the new cultivar andshows the colors as true as it is reasonably possible to obtain in acolored reproduction of this type.

The following is a detailed description of my new begonia cultivar basedon plants produced under commercial practices in the greenhouses ofMikkelsens Inc., Ashtabula, Ohio. Color references are made to the RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart except where general color terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used.

Parentage: A spontaneous mutation of the elatior begonia Fantasy,described in my U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,911.

Propagation: Is most satisfactory by leaf cuttings that root inapproximately 35 days at 22° C. Basal adventitious buds are formed atthe base of the leaf petiole and subsequently develop into shootsemerging above the propagating media in a 5 cm. pot in an additional 45days in the summer to 80 days in the winter under the conditions atAshtabula, Ohio.

Rooting habit: Rooting and shooting is considered slower than forSchwabenland types but roots are quite profuse, fine, and dendritic.

Plant form: Upright and bushy when produced from leaf cuttings.

Habit of growth: Compact, slow growing, close internodes, with good selfbranching habit.

Blooming habits: Free flowering, closely clustered double flowers,produced over a long period of time, with excellent keeping qualities.Flowering response is quite uniform throughout the year.

Blooming season: Flowering is generally more profuse in the fall andspring months. Modern propagation and cultural techniques can increaseflower quantity for both winter and summer.

Foliage: Foliage is above average in quantity and appearance because ofclose internodes and considerable self branching.

Size.--Mature leaves under normal cultural practices in Ohio areapproximately 8 cm. wide by 8 cm. long with short petioles up to 2 cm.long.

Shape.--Nearly round, flat, very little cupping.

Texture.--Smooth, waxy, rigid, crisp, thick.

Margin.--Very small serrations to nearly complete.

Color.--Young foliage, upper -- near 146A, lower areas between veinsreddish brown. Mature foliage -- upper; darker than green 139-A, lower;dark dull red, veins extremely protruding.

Disease resistance: In testing with Fantasy in highly infected areas ofmildew Pink Fantasy shows the same immunity. To date indications arethat the cultivar is also quite resistant to Xanthomonas begoniae.

Flowers:

Borne.--On a compound raceme, clustered, with short pedicels keeping theflowers close to the leaf canopy.

Quantity.--Appears to be above average since there is considerable selfbranching to allow for more flowering points.

Buds.--Flat and approximately 8 to 10 mm. in diameter prior to opening.Flowers approaching maturity measure up to 5 cm. in diameter.

Tepals.--Red 52B-C fading to 52D.

reproductive Organs.--Elatior begonias are generally considered sterile.Stamens: None seen to date. Pollen: None seen to date. Styles/Ovaries:None seen to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of begonia plant known by thecultivar name Pink Fantasy and particularly characterized as touniqueness by the combined characteristics of light pink flower color,excellent keeping qualities; upright, compact and relatively slow growthhabit; excellent appearance due to flower form and placement against thefoliage background; good propagation from leaf cuttings, and by itsresistance to disease.